Ladder match steals show at Wrestlemania
Just like I said, the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania 23 was money in the bank, stealing the entire show as it did the past two years with Mr. Kennedy from the Smackdown brand hoisting the briefcase from the top of the 15-foot ladder after nearly killing Fit Finley?s little assistant in a barrel roll from the top of the ladder.
The image of him with the leprechaun on his shoulders leaping from the top of the ladder onto the canvas 15 feet below, along with the Undertaker?s death defying leap over the top rope and Jeff Hardy?s suicidal dive from the ladder onto a prone Edge, will go down as the classic Wrestlemania moments for WM23.
When taken as a whole, WM23 wasn?t really up to par with the past few Wrestlemanias as the ladder match and the Undertaker-Batista bout were the only two really good matches, as Cena and HBK didn?t really seem to gel. However, the high spots will make it a memorable event, especially coupled with the site of a bald Vince McMahon and Donald Trump getting a Stone Cold Stunner from the Texas Rattlesnake.
With that said, your big winner for the evening was Mr. Kennedy given the fact the past two Money in the Bank winners, Edge and Rob Van Dam, have gone on to win the title when they cashed in their money in the bank. Essentially, money in the bank has become a second Royal Rumble where the winner is also given a title shot, except Money in the Bank is even more valuable as the winner can redeem his shot at any time he chooses. Look at Edge, he redeemed his as Cena laid on the mat bloody from another match, easily taking the title with a thundering spear to the addled champion.
Regardless, Money in the Bank means Kennedy will be put over at every opportunity as the WWE needs him to look strong as a credible threat to the belt. This means you should look for Mr. Kennedy to win a lot leading up to his match with whichever champ they decide to pair him against.
While my prediction for the winner was C.M. Punk, another wrestler who I believe will be given a gigantic push this year and could succeed RVD as the main face for the ECW, Kennedy was a great choice as I believe he is the best young heel in the entire WWE with his mic skills and his in-ring moves. He?s got the best facial expressions I?ve seen since the Rock as he can tell it all without even saying a word.
Mr. Kennedy, real name Ken Anderson, 31, joined WWE back in August 2005, and has since become one of the leading heels on the Smackdown roster. He uses the ring name of Kennedy so he is not confused with the already famous Anderson (Ole and Arn) wrestling family. He chose the name Kennedy when he entered WWE because (suck up) it is Vince McMahon?s middle name.
The former U.S. Champion has already inked victories over the Undertaker and Batista, although he most recently lost a title shot at the Royal Rumble against Batista. His first WWE career loss was to the late Eddie Guerrero in a contest which ended up being Guerrero?s last televised match before his untimely death.
As much as it is apparent Kennedy and C.M. Punk will be getting pushes this year, there were other people that will be again left behind in the coming year based on their lack of respect at WM23 as the Wrestlemania usually sets the tone of the year to come.
Shelton Benjamin, who is the most talented athlete in WWE, didn?t even make the ladder match, a match where he shined its first two years. Chris Benoit barely made the WM23 list earning an unremarkable win against MVP. This is the same Rabid Wolverine who won the title at WM20. And, let?s not forget the lack of respect given to the Nature Boy Ric Flair who was resigned to only a pre-show tag team match along with partner Carlito.