Thursday, March 29, 2012

Two Days Until Wrestlemania 28

We are two days away from Wrestlemania 28 and if you don't know the card by now, boy are you living underneath a rock. As in the Rock squaring off against John Cena in the match that is one year in the making. The Undertaker and Triple H square off in the End of the Era Hell in a Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. Chris Jericho takes on CM Punk for the WWE Champions and the World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan defends his World Heavyweight Championship against the number one contender Sheamus. Team Johnny meets Team Teddy for the General Manager position of both RAW and Smackdown on the line.

Today's Wrestlemania spotlight is one of the most iconic matches in the entire history of Wrestlemania, based on one moment, with Andre the Giant taking on Hulk Hogan.

Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania 28

"Three years to be a champion is a long time." were the words of Andre the Giant one week. Little did they know that they would lead to the match at Wrestlemania III where Hulk Hogan met Andre the Giant. Hulk Hogan received a trophy for his lifetime achievement as WWF Championship for three years. The next week Andre the Giant received a trophy for his fifteen year undefeated streak, but it was much smaller than Hulk Hogan's trophy. I'm sure there is some symbolism in that.

Within the next few weeks, Jesse Ventura agreed to bring Andre the Giant on Piper's Pit if Piper would bring Hulk Hogan. Both agreed, with Andre the Giant showing up with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, having sold out to the crafty manager. Andre wanted a title shot and would not be silenced. He ripped up the crucifix off of the neck of Hulk Hogan and brought tears to the eyes of Hogan.

Hogan accepted the challenge for Andre the Giant and the stage was set, with the biggest match in professional wrestling history to that point, in the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit Michigan. Hulk Hogan stepped right into the ring with Andre the Giant. A failed bodyslam attempt at the bell and Andre collapsed on Hogan, with a very near three count, which Heenan protested was three. The match went on, with Andre battering Hogan, until Hogan bodyslammed Andre, bringing the fans to their feet and dropped the leg on the chest of the giant for an explanation point.

That bodyslam was one of the most iconic moments in WWE History. Will Wrestlemania 28 have any iconic moments? We'll find out this Sunday night.

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