Records, careers broken at ‘WrestleMania 24’
By John Powell - Cineplex Entertainment
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Orlando, Florida - The greatest professional wrestler of all time has walked that aisle for the last time. Ric ‘Nature Boy’ Flair’s in-ring career ended Sunday night at WrestleMania 24 when he lost his match against Shawn ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ Michaels. The “win every match or retire” stipulation was a provision mandated by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon months ago.
Although 59-years-old, Flair took on the 43-year-old Shawn Michaels to the limit in their match in which the baby face HBK was uncharacteristically booed by fans. It ended quite suddenly for Flair. Having already survived everything Michaels threw at him, it was another Sweet Chin Music kick that KO’ed Flair.
“I’m sorry,” whispered a regretful Michaels as he kicked Flair in the side of the temple, pinned him cleanly and ended Flair’s matchless wrestling career that spanned 36 years. In that time, Flair won 16 World Heavyweight Titles and was an inspiration to fans and wrestlers alike.
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| Mayweather lays out The Big Show. (Photo: Courtesy of the WWE.) |
As Flair walked back up the rampway at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, following the match, he was given a rousing standing ovation and cheers of “Thank you, Flair!” were heard. Unlike past retirement matches he has participated in, Flair has indicated privately that he will never step into the ring and wrestle ever again.
In the official main event of ‘WrestleMania 24’, Canadian Edge lost the World Heavyweight Championship to The Undertaker, who began his second reign as World Champion after Edge missed his Spear finishing move and Taker locked him in the devastating Gogoplata submission hold. By defeating Edge, The Undertaker (Mark Calloway) also kept his undefeated streak at WrestleMania alive and well.
Surprising many in attendance with its quality, the “boxer versus wrestler” match ended with undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather barely knocking out the 7-foot, 441-lb. Big Show with brass knuckles to steal the win.
According to WWE estimates, ‘WrestleMania 24’ grossed more than $5.85 million in ticket sales. This makes it the highest grossing live event in WWE history and in the history of the Citrus Bowl as well. ‘WrestleMania 24’ also set an attendance record for the Citrus Bowl with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries invading Orlando.
Full ‘WrestleMania 24’ Results
1. 24-Man Battle Royal : Winner: Kane at 6 minutes and 23 seconds.
2. JBL versus Fit Finlay: Winner: JBL at 8 minutes and 30 seconds.
3. Money in The Bank Match: Winner: C.M. Punk at 13 minutes and 36 seconds.
4. Umaga versus Batista: Winner: Batista at 7 minutes and 8 seconds.
5. ECW World Heavyweight Title Match: Kane (challenger) versus Chavo Guerrero (champion) : Winner: …and new champion…Kane at approximately 5 or 6 seconds.
6. Shawn Michaels versus Ric Flair: Winner: Shawn Michaels at 24 minutes and 47 seconds.
7. Beth Phoenix & Melina versus Ashley & Maria (BunnyMania Lumberjack Match): Winners: Beth Phoenix & Melina at 6 minutes and 19 seconds.
8. Triple H (challenger) versus Randy Orton (champion) versus John Cena (challenger) : Winner:…and still WWE Heavyweight Champion...Randy Orton at 14 minutes and 6 seconds.
9. Big Show versus Floyd “Money” Mayweather: Winner: Floyd “Money” Mayweather at 11 minutes and 48 seconds.
10. The Undertaker (challenger) versus Edge (World Heavyweight Champion): Winner: …and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker at 23 minutes and 58 seconds.