We open as any wrestling show should after a major (and non controversial) death.  With a beautiful tribute to Paul Bearer.

Really, no one does video packages like WWE.  I saw that Paul Bearer tribute on YouTube already but this was still just as beautiful on the second watch.

Live in the arena the fans cheer for Paul Bearer but they cheer even louder when they hear that gong.  The Undertaker has arrived and is on his way to the ring.  He slowly walks to the ring and there, unknown to the fans at home, is an urn set up on a pedestal.  The Undertaker kneels down paying tribute to his late manager and friend.  Its a strange thing to say about the Undertaker, but it is really one of the more touching moments of his career.

And then here comes CM Punk.  Oh there is some great heel heat.  CM Punk has everyone against him now.  Every one of the casual fans are pissed off.  Your long time ones are loving this.  An extra punch has been added to this WrestleMania match and while we all feel sorry for his family, Paul Bearer would probably love getting one more angle in.

Great extra bit of Kane coming out to protect the honor of his father.  Sure it is still a bit silly to say he was Kane’s father.  But it was very fitting and appropriate for Kane to have a moment in this story.

Big Show beats Seth Rollins by DQ.  Of course the Shield is going to interfere and triple team Big Show.  Wins and losses don’t really matter over making a statement.  These three relatively average sized wrestlers picking up the Big Show is one hell of a statement.  I’m still stunned I saw that.

CM Punk sees Vickie Guerrero, and I guess Brad Maddox too.  While Vickie is one of the best heels in the business even she doesn’t want to go against the Undertaker.  Vickie puts Punk against Kane tonight.

Classic Paul Bearer moment.  His debut during the Brother Love show.  I hope they show scenes all throughout the night.

Daniel Bryan (1/2 tag team champions) vs. Dolph Ziggler (with AJ and Big E)

I happened to catch Saturday Morning Slam this week.  Well, that aired after this match but its been a crazy week.  Anyways that match was pretty good for time and Saturday morning editing but this match is crazy.  Put a belt on the line and these two guys could headline.

The counters back and forth here have been astounding.  Both men are really putting it all out there.  Hmmm both men are also currently not on WrestleMania.   A huge mistake because they are having their ‘Mania moment right now.  Back and forth counter for counter, numerous reverals.  I’m enjoying the hell out of this match.

Requisite AJ shots:

We still need one of these guys to play heel though and Dolph’s entourage comes through.  AJ distracts the referee and Big E gets Ziggler out of a submission.  This unit works very well in the ultimate goal of getting Dolph some victories.  While Daniel comes back from this distraction he doesn’t come back enough to win the match.  Dolph gets a Zig Zag in there and picks up the win.

Team Ziggler celebrates by beating the hell out of Daniel some more.  I’m looking forward to seeing Big E in an actual match soon.

Brodus Clay, Tensai, Naomi, Cameron all come out and dance.  Then they wait for Fandango to take on Tensai.  But no one can get his name right.  While I am a bit sick of this, whenever he does finally wrestle people are going to want to see him get his ass kicked.  If he has any skills in the ring they’re going to hate him even more.

Overly long preview for the new GI Joe movie.  Which I will still see and love the shit out of it.

Team Rhodes Scholars doing an overly literate parody of the New Age Outlaws trademark entrance might be the funniest thing in wrestling this week.  Hell of a job.

Team Rhodes Scholars vs. New Age Outlaws.

Give it up for Road Dogg and Billy Gunn still looking good and still entertaining the hell out of the fans.  Match gets going and neither side really has an advantage yet.  Oh.  That music.  The advantage has now gone to Brock Lesnar.   Brock, with Paul Heyman, comes out and has his eyes on the Outlaws.  Billy Gunn meets Brock and tries to get the first shot advantage but Lesnar is too damn strong. The Road Dogg climbs up to stop him.  He has nothing in him but he still fights.  And still gets an F5 for his troubles.

This is why you give guys managers.  Paul Heyman got some great drama out in this promo that there is no doubt in my mind Brock could not have done.  Brock vs. Hunter if Hunter agrees to any stipulation they want.  Such a money guy to have in the WWE arsenal.  This was very well done and a successful additional build for ‘Mania.

Kofi Kingston vs. Mark Henry.

Speaking of people getting on the WrestleMania card.  Henry has added a very nasty kick to his arsenal.  That could be a finisher.  Kofi fights back valiantly but Mark is just too damn strong.  How strong?  Strong enough to catch Kofi coming off the top rope and put him down for a World’s Strongest Slam.

Cody Rhodes and Kaitlyn have a very awkward flirting moment.  Damien Sandow brings in their dates for the evening.  The Bella Twins return.  What the hell?  Everyone is shocked.  Vickie comes in and gives them a match for tonight.  No not the Bellas, thankfully.  The Rhodes Scholars.

Ryback squashes Heath Slater.  He then takes out Drew McIntyre for fun.  Mark Henry comes down to the ring to stare down Ryback.  That could be a hell of a match.  Mark picks up Drew and puts him down to prove a point.  Drew must have done something he shouldn’t have because Ryback picks him back up for a second shell shock.  Mark drops Drew again!  Poor Drew.

Alberto Del Rio (World champion, with Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. Antonio Cesaro (US champion).

Something about this match just doesn’t feel right.  I think Del Rio is controlling a bit too much of the match.  Antonio didn’t get in anything of note until he caught Alberto with a European uppercut while Del Rio came off the top.  And that was Cesaro’s best move of the match.  No he shouldn’t beat the World champion just weeks before ‘Mania but he should have gotten something more for his troubles.

Del Rio wins with an arm bar and I’m honestly disappointed by this match.

Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. Team Rhodes Scholars.

Ugh.  I just have no joy for this match.  Its very obvious these two multiple time former world champions are being set up to defeat everyone.  Just because they have no other spot to put them on the card.  Damn shame for Cody and Damien too.  Very uninteresting match.  The “Celtic Vipers” win.

Then, the WWE App shows the real story.  The Shield attacks Orton and Sheamus after the match.  Now that’s a story!

More Paul Bearer tributes.

Chris Jericho starts the highlight reel and brings out the latest WWE Studios stars Wade Barrett and The Miz.  This is the infamous skit that got so bad the announcers were told to make fun of it.  Well, yeah, who are we supposed to cheer?  Miz vs Wade would make sense.  Get Miz in a title picture.  But then Jericho butts in there.  And he has a ready made story to feud with Barrett.  Then Brad Maddox comes out to put his words in and it turns to even more shit.  This is really really bad.  Its all far too much set up for a match.

Chris Jericho vs. The Miz.  Winner faces Wade Barrett for the Intercontinental title next week.  Wade joins for commentary.

Jericho is bringing something really good out of the Miz tonight.  Either man would be great to hold the IC title.  Its maybe about time for Wade to move on to his next story.  He’s held the title but never really done anything with it to further himself or the belt.  Both men are doing a great job here.  I’m not sure if I like this or Daniel vs Dolph from earlier better.  The Intercontinental title is getting more worth and attention from the two challengers than Wade has done as champion.

The fight goes to the outside and Jericho throws the Miz into Wade.  Barrett gets up and attacks both men.  Match has to end now so do we get a triple threat next week?

Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez dress as Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter to cut a parody We the People promo.  Actually pretty damn funny.

More classic Paul Bearer.

Sin Cara vs. Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter).

Zeb comes out and cuts a long promo.  Probably longer than this match will last.  Sin Cara continues to sell well/get frequently injured.  Sin Cara gets in a little bit of offense but Swagger only needs one chance.  Sin Cara comes off the top and meets Jack’s boot.  Swagger stomps on the leg then locks on the Patriot Act for the victory.

Swagger wont let go of the hold and Alberto Del Rio runs down to save Sin Cara.  Jack and Alberto roll around and Del Rio tries to lock on the arm bar but Zeb pulls his charge out of the ring.  This might steal the show at ‘Mania.

Kane and Halle Berry talk to promote the Call.  For my own sanity I’m going to just skip this.

CM Punk vs. Kane (1/2 tag team champions).

Its just one of those matches where you know things don’t matter because something will happen at the end.  Kane and Punk are just killing time.  Punk has the advantage but then the gong hits and the Undertaker comes out.  This is enough to distract Punk and Kane gets the win.  Kane and Undertaker both kneel down to pay tribute to Paul Heyman.  Very nice scene.

And then CM Punk grabs the Urn and cracks it over Kane’s head!  Undertaker comes down to save Kane and the Urn, but Punk has taken off with it.  Punk then kneels down and poses with the Urn at the top of the ramp.  Oh this is going to be good.