Retrospective of the Common Fan- Wrestlemania IX!

Happy Wrestlemania Week! Check out the links below for my latest Retrospective Column on Wrestlemania IX. And as a bonus, below is my Top 9 Wrestlemania Moments as a fan. Enjoy!

Link to Retrospective- http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_69648.shtml

Top 9 Wrestlemania Moments as a fan! (With one honorable mention)

1.) Shawn Michaels vs. the Undertaker LIVE (Wrestlemania XXV)- Words can't describe the energy in the stadium for this. People were over the top into HBK where we sat in the heart of 75,000 fans. My Uncle and I were for Taker and loved throwing it in the face (Without malice of course) of the fans behind us.

2.) Ric Flair's final match (Wrestlemania XXIV, Orlando FL)- Hearing the chants, seeing the emotion, the "I love you" from Michaels... It was just incredible. Again, words can't really describe it looking back. It was a blast to call this match though with Josh Matthews at WM25 Fan Access the following year in Houston.

3.) Undertaker's Entrance LIVE (Wrestlemania XXIV, Complete with Druids in Orlando, FL)- I got chills and a buddy of mine said he almost shed a tear. Couldn't blame him, as a fan at your first Wrestlemania, it doesn't get much better than this.

4.) Walking to my seats for my first LIVE Wrestlemania (Wrestlemania XXIV in Orlando, FL)- Seeing the set and just knowing I was finally at the biggest show of the year live was one of the most incredible feelings that still gives me chills as a fan to this day. Even the night before the show, being able to drive by the stadium and see the lights on inside was unbelievable. The definition of a kid in a candy store was definitely me that whole weekend.

5.) First ROH Show in Orlando, FL during Wrestlemania XXIV Weekend- It was the Dragon Gate Challenge Show. I was absolutely blown away by my first viewing of guys like Kevin Steen, El Generico, Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black), etc. Just one of those nights as a wrestling fan I never forget.

6.) KENTA vs. Davey Richards (ROH Supercard of Honor IV, Wrestlemania XXV Weekend in Houston, TX)- This was just flat out of the best matches I've ever seen life. So stiff and competitive with a hot crowd. Words can't really describe it, you just have to see if for yourself.

7.) Watching "Stone Cold" Steve Austin get inducted into the Hall of Fame LIVE (Wrestlemania 25 Weekend- Houston, TX)- Fantastic moment.

8.) Watching Ric Flair get inducted into the Hall of Fame LIVE (Wrestlemania 24 Weekend- Orlando, FL)- Another chilling moment with all the great stories Ric told. Definitely putting his family in my prayers too with the recent passing of his son. A real shame.

9.) Accidentally having the MitB Results from Wrestlemania XXII spoiled via my buddy's DVR- So a few friends (Hey Sam and Josh, how ya doin'?) of mine got together to watch Wrestlemania the day after it aired since we had to all work on Sunday night. I think my pal Sam forgot to rewind the DVR or something (Can't remember how his worked back then) and the first image we saw was Mr. Kennedy holding the briefcase on the ladder. Talk about a spoiler! Innocent, but funny nonetheless since we were all big fans of his at the time.

Honorable Mention.) Calling Mr. Sean Radican after the opening World Title Match of Wrestlemania XXVIII when Daniel Bryan lost in 18 seconds- I was so livid and just had to vent at someone other than my wife and brother in law. Ha, man I can't remember many times being more upset than that. Sean was laughing hysterically on the other side and while I'm not proud of getting mad over something so trivial, I hope Sean has a fun memory to look back on. Here's a quick transcript as best my memory serves;

Sean- Hello?

Me- WHAT THE @#$% MAN?! SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE #$%@ JUST HAPPENED?

Sean- (Laughing) I don't know man...

Me- WELL IT'S BULL #$*@ AND I'm DONE WITH WRESTLING. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO WATCH THE REST OF THIS @#$%%!@# SHOW!

Sean- (Laughing harder now)

Me- I SWEAR TO GOD I'M GOING TO ERUPT ON YOUR NEXT AUDIO! ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL TO HAVE THIS FOR A WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT @%$#!*& TITLE MATCH!!!

Sean- (Laughing) Relax man, I agree though, it's stupid! (More laughing)

Me- (Panting) Well... I guess I should let you watch the rest of this stupid show. Seriously, after seeing that crap I'm done with WWE. Horrible.

Sean- (Laughing) Sure you are! Enjoy the show man!

Me- You too. STUPID #$%*&%# BOOKING, WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY NOT GIVE THAT MORE TIME?! Ugh, sorry, take to you later.

Yeah... Not my proudest moment, but a fun one nonetheless. I hope everyone enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane and hope this Wrestlemania gives you more memories to look back on. And I hope you can all agree with me when I say that I hope above all else, that it doesn't suck. 

Quite frankly, despite a blah build-up, I love the card almost top to bottom. Wrestling should at least be present throughout the 4-hour show. Quick Stone-Cold lock- Dolph Ziggler cashes in MitB Briefcase on Del Rio after his successful title defense. He'll have already won the tag titles earlier with Big E. Dolph has two pieces of gold on RAW on April 8th. Lastly, it will be decided on the night of April 7th if my wife can repeat as the Pick 'Em Champion at my WM House Party. She won the Rumble, which was humbling enough. Thanks for reading, enjoy the show and Happy Easter!