WWE WrestleMania 24 press conference: All the major players gather in New York to hype the biggest show of the year
Mar 26, 2008 - 11:04 AM |
The following are highlights from the WrestleMania 24 press conference, which is available at WWE.com.
-A WrestleMania 24 video aired and hyped that the show is only four days away.
-Jonathan Coachman welcomed viewers to the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City and hyped the tradition of WrestleMania.
-Coach introduced Vince McMahon, who received a babyface reaction from the crowd. Vince recalled the history of WrestleMania and said it started in New York City. He ran through some of the celebrities who have appeared at the event in the past. He ran through the list of celebrities who will appear at the event. The crowd popped when he mentioned Snoop Dogg’s name, but booed Floyd Mayweather’s name.
“The only thing that we can guarantee you is that you’ll be highly entertained and you’ll definitely get your moneys worth,” Vince said. Vince introduced Shane McMahon as the man who put the Mayweather and Big Show match together.
-Shane said he’s pumped for WrestleMania. He paused and let the crowd boo after he mentioned Mayweather’s name. “I don’t know if you can boo on this, but he grew up and still is an enormous WWE fan,” Shane said. “You can’t be booing him on that.” He said he always wanted to do something with Mayweather and invited him to appear at “No Way Out.” He tried to sell the angle that took place at that show as a shoot. He said the idea was to capitalize on what happened.
Shane said he agrees with the media members who feel that Mayweather is crazy for getting inside the ring. He introduced the video package that features quotes from Michael Buffer, Bert Sugar, Antonio Tarver, Thomas Hearns, Evander Holyfield, Ricky Hatton, and Roy Jones Jr. Next, Shane introduced a video that highlighted the WWE Title match.
Powell’s POV: Shane is very polished. He comes across seeming sincere even when he’s selling a story line.
-Shane introduced Triple H and noted, “I’m proud to call him my brother-in-law.” Hunter walked onto the stage and hugged Shane. The crowd chanted his name. Hunter did the “Are you ready,” bit. He said there’s no explanation needed regarding WrestleMania’s importance to the fans. He said WrestleMania is the event that all other major events wish they could be and put it over as being bigger and better than the Kentucky Derby, the Academy Awards, and the Super Bowl.
Hunter said the three-way WWE Title match is the reason they’re holding the show at the Citrus Bowl. “This Sunday, WrestleMania, I will fight for the WWE Championship as if my life depends on it,” Hunter said. “When it comes to the WWE Championship and WrestleMania, as far as I’m concerned, it does.”
Powell’s POV: Nice promo. Hunter is definitely the favorite in NYC.
-Coach took the stage and introduced Randy Orton, who walked out to that dreadful entrance theme. Orton delivered a standard promo. He said he beat Triple H before and will do so again. He said he faced Cena before and said he put him on the shelf for four months.
Powell’s POV: Quick and painless. Much like the Los Angeles press conference, we’re in that dull period where the wrestlers cut standard promos that most of the media members snicker at. It should pick up again once Mayweather takes the stage.
-Coach introduced Maria and Ashley. Maria said Candice Michelle won’t be in the ring with her, but assumed she’d be backstage cheering for her. Ashley said she’d try her hardest while filling in for Candice.
-Coach introduced a video packaged that chronicled Undertaker’s WrestleMania winning streak. Coach introduced Edge and noted that he’ll main event WrestleMania this year. Edge talked about Taker’s streak and claimed he’s also undefeated. Another standard promo.
Powell’s POV: I wouldn’t read too much into Coach’s comment about Edge main eventing WretleMania. It’s possible that match will go on last, but they’ve been known to label both title matches as main events.
-Coach introduced Mike Adamle. Coach briefly clapped for Adamle and seemed to be the only person in the building clapping for him. He told a story about Muhammad Ali and Wilt Chamberlain doing a photo shoot for a match that never happened. Adamle ran through the height, weight, and reach advantage that Show has and then introduced a Mayweather video.
Powell’s POV: Adamle was good in this spot.
-Shane introduced Floyd Mayweather and his manager Leonard Ellerbee. Floyd shook hands with all the wrestlers and then reached into a bag and pulled out a wad of cash. The crowd popped. He threw the money into the fan section. Floyd thanked the McMahons and all the wrestlers for embracing him and “letting me come into their home.” He predicted that they’ll break the WrestleMania record (presumably for pay-per-view buys).
Mayweather questioned whether he was facing Big Show or Little Show and got the crowd to chant Big Show’s name. He got upset and tore up some money in response. He said it’s all about Money Mayweather. He asked who wanted money? The crowd cheered. He teased throwing more money to the crowd in Orlando. Floyd called out “Little Show” and said he might smack him.
Powell’s POV: Pretty much the same act he delivered in Los Angeles, but still hilarious.
-Big Show walked onto the stage while Mayweather took a seat next to his business adviser. He introduced his own video package. Back live, he said everyone is talking about the possibility of Mayweather getting hurt, but no one is concerned about him getting hurt. “And there’s a reason,” Show said.
-Coach returned to the podium and thanked everyone for coming. He had Show and Mayweather stand in the middle of the stage for photos. Shane joined them. Show put his fist in Mayweather’s face. Mayweather responded by pulling out a giant golden boxing glove.
Powell’s POV: Why did they leave Ric Flair off all three press conference events? As I said after the Los Angeles press conference, the story of his career and pending retirement would be very attractive to the mainstream media members. In fact, I’d put it second to only the Mayweather vs. Show match. Overall, the press conference was pretty much a repeat of the Los Angeles event.
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