WrestleMania 21
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WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleMania pay-per-view event. This event took place on April 3 2005 in Los Angeles, California at the Staples Center. This was the first WrestleMania at the Staples Center, but the fifth in the Los Angeles/Anaheim metropolitan area (following II, VII, XII and 2000). This was also the first Wrestlemania not to feature a Tag Team match on the card.
The theme songs to this WrestleMania were "Bigtime" by The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, and "Behind Those Eyes" by Three Doors Down.
The 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 ever. The tagline for this WrestleMania was "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood."
Event summary
Below are the results of the matches and summaries of events which happened during WrestleMania 21. All match victories were by pinfall, unless otherwise noted.
30-Men Interpromotional Battle Royal
Booker T won a 30-man interpromotional battle royal held prior to the live pay-per-view broadcast, filmed exclusively for the show's DVD release. (Apparently, there were only 29 actual participants.)
From Raw: Simon Dean, William Regal, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Rob Conway, Sylvain Grenier, Gene Snitsky, Hurricane, Rosey, Chris Masters, Viscera, Rhyno, Val Venis, Tyson Tomko, Maven
From Smackdown!: Booker T (winner), Paul London, Heidenreich, Spike Dudley, Nunzio, Funaki, Doug Basham, Danny Basham, Orlando Jordan, Mark Jindrak, Luther Reigns, Scotty 2 Hotty, Hardcore Holly, Charlie Haas, Akio
Special Challenge
WWE Tag Team Champion Rey Mysterio defeated WWE Tag Team Champion Eddie Guerrero.
Money-in-the-Bank Six-Man Ladder Match
Edge defeated Chris Jericho, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin, Kane, Chris Benoit and Christian in a six-man ladder match, by grabbing the briefcase suspended above the ring. His victory earned him a contract to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship anytime in twelve months, up to and including WrestleMania XXII.
Interlude
Eugene entered the ring to talk about his memories of WrestleMania III. Muhammad Hassan entered afterward and complained about how he was excluded from WrestleMania. He attacked Eugene and gave him the camel clutch to create a WrestleMania moment. Hulk Hogan entered and interrupted their attack, clearing the ring. He then posed for the crowd.
Legend vs. Legend Killer Match
The Undertaker defeated Randy Orton, even after the interference of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, earning him his thirteenth consecutive WrestleMania victory.
WWE Women's Championship
Trish Stratus retained the WWE Women's Championship against Christy Hemme.
Inter-promotional match
Kurt Angle defeated Shawn Michaels by submission with the Ankle Lock.
Best female WM21 trailer
Basic Instinct with Stacy Keibler
Piper's Pit
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper interviewed Stone Cold Steve Austin in his infamous Piper's Pit segment. Later, Carlito Caribbean Cool interrupted and insulted them, resulting in Piper spitting 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.
Best overall WM21 Trailer
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, Joy Giovanni, Gene Snitsky, Paul London, Tazz, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Molly Holly, and Michael Cole.
Special Sumo Match
Akebono defeated The Big Show by ringout.
WWE Championship Match
John Cena defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield to become the 79th 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.
World Heavyweight Championship
2005 Royal Rumble winner Batista defeated Triple H to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H's theme music was performed live by Motörhead.
Promotion
In line with the event's Los Angeles location, WrestleMania 21 has been 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 by William Regal.
- Braveheart with Triple H playing the Mel Gibson role and Ric Flair making an appearance.
- Basic Instinct with Stacy Keibler playing the Sharon Stone character and Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian playing interviewers in the famous "leg crossing scene" also featuring The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young.
- Pulp Fiction with Eddie Guerrero and Booker T playing the John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson 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, featuring a cameo by Jonathan Coachman.
- 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, and a cameo by Linda McMahon.
- 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, Joy Giovanni, Gene Snitsky, Paul London, Tazz, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Molly Holly, and Michael Cole, all auditioning for the Robert De Niro role.
- Gladiator with Stone Cold Steve Austin playing the eponymous Russell Crowe role, first aired at the beginning of WrestleMania 21.
Trivia
- During the Money in the Bank match, Tyson Tomko helped Christian up the ladder using his head and back. 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 United States Championship in the opening match at WrestleMania XX a year earlier. Likewise, Eddie Guerrero participated in the opening match at WM21 after defending the WWE Championship at WMXX.