As is something of a theme for my "blog" of reviews, I'll review in spurts, then hit a dry spot when I'm not buying DVDs or just flat out can't bring out that motivation to write. This review pretty much catches me right in the middle of each. I rented Wrestlemania 24 and really don't have the motivation to write up a full review, but I do want to touch on a few things and give my take on them.

My short review of Wrestlemania 24 goes like this. I believe it is right on par with the last few Wrestlemanias. Not excessively better, not worse, right in line. Its a good, but not great show. I think WWE has found a groove for Wrestlemania and 24 operates within that groove. The matches are generally very good, much better than the build-up going into them, but the show will have at least one awful segment or match, often during the now mandatory T and A portion (not TNA portion, but its kinda funny how that could be confusing... and how they both suck). However, I don't typically associate Wrestlemania with "status quo" but that's what WWE seems to have found.

For the specifics of what I want to discuss, I'll start with what wrestling fans think is the most notable occurrence on the show, Ric Flair's retirement match against Shawn Michaels. Having seen it in its entirety now, I am convinced WWE blew Flair's retirement worse than they blew the Invasion. I was far closer to outright hatred of this match than I am to the love it has recieved from seemingly every source. I could waste a lot of time writing about all of the problems I have with Flair's retirement angle and specifically the angle with HBK (which was more about kissing HBK's ass than it was anything else). I'll just choose to focus on one aspect here and that's Shawn Michaels. I understand the logic of matching up these two for this match. There may not be a guy on the planet that can give you a better match than HBK, but he was the wrong opponent for Flair's final match. My problem with the feud is the same as the problem with the match, its as much about Michaels as it is about Flair. I don't believe its HBK's intention to steal Flair's spotlight when he does the awesome moonsault on the announce table or survive any submission move longer than any other wrestler alive, I think he does it for the sake of the match, but that's what happens. Its what Michaels does. When he storms off after the win, I think his intention is to give Flair the spotlight, but I couldn't help but be reminded of Montreal in 97 when he does that. There was also the fact that no one bought Flair as having a chance to win, which just kills this match. The match is perfunctory, any emotion (even some of the genuine ones) felt forced because we all know how its going to end before the bell rings. He may never have been one of my favorites, but I have a lot of respect for Ric Flair and the effort he has given us over the years and in this match. I went in wanting to love it, but before it was over I was considering hitting the skip button and I felt Flair deserved better.

Its worth noting that my opinion seems to be among the vast minority. It seems like I might be the only one that wasn't moved to tears by the match.

But how does Ric Flair wrestle a final match that doesn't incorporate a Flair Flop?

And there's a long list of things I hate associated with HBK, but "I'm sorry, I love you" skyrockets up that list. (Meanwhile, Batista has suddenly become one of my favorite wrestlers for "I'm not sorry. I don't love you")

One of my problems with Flair-HBK, Flair's less than 0 percent chance of winning, is also my problem with Edge-Undertaker. Action-wise, this might well be the Taker's best match in the ever-so-vaunted Streak (I mean that as faint praise, because the Streak is full of stinkers), as well as one of the best matches Taker has had in recent memory (less faint praise, Taker's been putting in some much stronger efforts over the last few years). The problem is that there is absolutely no drama to go along with that action. Bless him, Edge tries his damnedest to sell you that he will beat Taker, his promo at Mania was just excellent, but no one buys it. I think one near-fall gets a blip on the radar. Their effort deserved a better response.

Also, the Cole-Coach commentary team is flat out exposed being thrown into the Wrestlemania main event spot. It is inexcusable to put them in that position.

On a side note, I think Edge really needs a finisher to be built up like the Pedigree or the RKO, a true stopper of a finisher, that would have helped. That overzealous hug he calls a spear just ain't it. I wish they'd do it with the Impaler, but it doesn't seem like that's happening.

The Triple Threat match exceeded my expectations and not just because of Wrestlemania's one shocking result. It seems in the time since XX, WWE has taken a few notes on how to wrestle a triple threat match as opposed to a one on one match that just happens to have 3 people. Plus, Triple H didn't win, Orton did.

Mayweather-Show was a pleasant surprise. That definately could have been a disaster. I give Mayweather credit, he was a professional throughout the whole angle, where a lot of guys may not have been, which is a reason it worked.

Money in the Bank was also a pleasant surprise (seems to be a theme that the unpredictable stuff is the stuff I enjoyed). There have been so many ladder matches with so much crazy **** that its tough to make a dent these days, but this match pulls out some new tricks. Plus, CM Punk picks up a signature win and Shelton Benjamin dies, what's not to love?

Again, if you've enjoyed the last few Wrestlemanias, this one'll be worth a look and you'll probably enjoy it.