Post WrestleMania 23 thoughts

POP OF THE NIGHT, ENTRANCE OF THE NIGHT AND MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Batista vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight title. Every year at WrestleMania, everybody else's entrance looks pitiful when compared to the one used by "The Deadman". He didn't disappoint this year either. It was so electric inside Ford Field after "The Phenom" tombstoned "The Animal" and got the 1-2-3, even I marked out. It blew the roof off Ford Field. This match should have been the main event. This was the Hogan/Andre match of WM 23.

BUMP OF THE NIGHT: (Tie) Undertaker being power slammed through the announcer's table by Batista; Shawn Michaels pile driving John Cena on the steel steps, Jeff Hardy putting Edge through a ladder. Ron Simmons could sum it up in one word. "DAMM!"

SURPRISE OF THE NIGHT: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair/Carlito vs. Chavo Guerrero/Gregory Helms. It was just nice to see that the 16-time Heavyweight champion wrestled on the biggest card of the year, even though it was a dark match. Also, Donald Trump really didn't sell that appearance in his dressing room by The Boogeyman.

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE NIGHT: (Tie) Melina vs. Ashley, Kane vs. the Great Khali, Chris Benoit vs. MVP. I already talk about two of these matches. I though that the battle for the United States Title would be better than it was. It was boring. Plain and simple.

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE NIGHT: (media related) I was highly disappointed that the list of local celebrities did not include the Pistons' Rasheed Wallace. I would have never thought that a guy like Sheed who's as knowledgeable about pro wrestling as I am would miss this event. Guess I was wrong. Also, NO MEDIA PARKING, NO MEDIA DISCOUNTS! I had to park next to St. Andrew's Hall and walk to Ford Field. And I had to pay full price for a WM 23 XXXL football jersey. This might be the closest thing I do to wearing a actual Lions jersey. BTW, The food in the media room SUCKED!

I want to give a shout out to some of the media representatives that I met while covering WrestleMania 23 at For Field on Sunday night. That list includes: Muneesh Jain from Motor City Sports Magazine; Tim Meeks from Real Detroit Weekly; Brandon Peters from XXL Magazine; Arash Markazi from Sports Illustrated; Matt Mackinder from Slam! Pro Wrestling; Jaime Jensen and Ben Collier from THQ and last but certainly not least, Kevin Hennessy, Rich Hollis, Chris Nowinski, and Gary Davis of World Wrestling Entertainment.

It was great to see my old buddy, pro wrestling photographer Blackjack Brown covering this massive event for the New York Time and the Chicago Sun-Times. I've known him since the 1990's. It's too bad that he was busting my chops regarding my predictions. I though I did great predicting 6 out of 8 matches correctly. The two that I missed was the two most worthless matches on this stacked card. The Kane vs. the Great Khali (I fell sleep trying to watch this bout), and the WWE Women's Title match between Melina vs. Ashley (I told you that the only thing that would improve this match is if it was a bra and panties match). Why this match was the seventh match on the card I'll never understand.

As quiet as it's kept, I might have to buy WM 23 when it's released on DVD. Thanks to an invite to THQ's fifth level suites, I eat well and enjoyed myself. Until next time, stick the fork in me 'cause I'm done.

Darrin Hill is a freelance writer and a longtime Detroit-area wrestling fan. You can reach him at: insideslam@hotmail.com.