|
Post by tactician on Aug 23, 2018 22:34:19 GMT -5
The greatest Triple Threat match I’ve ever seen. All three men played their role to perfection. Triple H was great as the domineering champion. Shawn Michaels was the sparkplug adding lots of emotional tension and excitement to the match. Triple H and Shawn Michaels both sold their rivalry hard and that this wasn’t just about the championship for them, it was personal. And Chris Benoit was the star of the show. The crowd was off the charts in MSG. Benoit was the unanimous crowd favorite. With the HHH/HBK rivalry and Benoit’s journey, this is definitely one of most emotional matches in WWE history.
The finish is iconic. Triple H goes for the Pedigree as everybody and their mama groans knowing the Reign of Terror would continue but Benoit maneuvered out and put on the cross face. Triple H tried to escape but Benoit had an answer at every turn. HHH milked it before finally tapping out. The post-match is extremely bittersweet with Benoit and Eddie embracing and with the knowledge of the end of their lives, it’s a little hard to watch. But I’m not going to deny this match’s greatness. This is my vote for the greatest WrestleMania main event ever.
|
|
|
Post by headcheese on Aug 25, 2018 1:38:04 GMT -5
Second I think maybe in top five of the best Wresltmainia main events of all time as well. A really great dynamic in and build up to this match. Great ending and post match. I could see why and understand why this might not make a lot of people's list. If you are okay with watching Chris Benoit matches, I feel like this could be the best and probably my favorite match of Chris Benoit's career.
|
|
TheBestThereNeverWillBe
Guest
|
Post by TheBestThereNeverWillBe on Feb 7, 2019 12:46:02 GMT -5
I prefer the Angle vs Benoit match at the Rumble as far as best Benoit matches go. But, this is clearly one of the best Wrestlemania main events of all-time. Also arguably the best Michaels match of 2004 (Backlash?).
Third vote.
|
|
|
Post by superstarsleeze on Feb 23, 2019 19:36:27 GMT -5
This match has become so different in a post-Benoit world. That tap out to the Crossface something I watched live was such a big deal in my fandom and now there's no emotion. That match holds up better than expect thanks to HHH's excellent ring generalship. One of the better Triple Threats ever!
World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit - Wrestlemania XX
I think with triple threat matches you basically have to resign yourself from trying to have a story-based match and just commit to having a balls to the wall, action-packed affair. Instead of fighting against having a third person, you embrace it by just going all out and making sure there is never one dull moment. There really shouldnt be because basically everybody gets a built in breather. I will say HHH was the MVP of this match. After a terrible, terrible 2003 (aside from the last match of the year), he was the total lynchpin of this match. Everything flowed through him and he did an admirable job. As the lone heel in the match, he spent the most time in the match basically having one one on matches with each opponent. I loved the escalation of this match and the feeling of competitive struggle to do all you can to win the match. Benoit and Michaels really brought out the best in each other and even though HHH did a great job I would have liked to seen more of them (definitely check out their RAW 5/3/04 match if you havent). The escalation of the finisher teases from the outset was the perfect way to set the tone that everyone meant business. They had some fun triple threat spots like the HHH ramming Benoit into the apron and then baseball slide into Benoit, HHH whipping HBK bad shoulder into Benoit's tree of woe and the awesome suplex throw of Benoit through the table. Until, I wrote all that I did not notice how much HBK/HHH worked together. I think it was a very subtle nod that this was Benoit's night not Shawn's by making Benoit the ultimate babyface. In New York, which historically never really liked Shawn, Benoit was way more over. Benoit having to earn his diving headbutt was great escalation. Shawn hitting a German was the best heel heat of the match. I think that was one thing the match did lack was stronger heelishness from HHH, who kept up with both guys but could have done more to raise the crowd's ire. I think more hijinx would have been a boon to this match. Shawn is the king of the bladejob. This may be his greatest one ever for speed, secrecy and amount of blood. HHH tapped a nice gusher himself. The pop for the Sharpshooter was awesome and Michaels hit a pitch perfect superkick to break it up. I would have liked to seen Michaels eliminated in more grand fashion than being thrown over the top rope. The Crippler Crossface sequence with HHH was just as fresh in my memory as it was in 2004.
I stopped it before the celebration with Eddie. Too damn depressing. Watching this match emotionally cold, there actually was not much emotion in the match to even get you behind Benoit. You had to be invested in the Benoit character beforehand to be invested because the match was so focused on action.
They did a great job with the escalation in this match. The suplex of Benoit on the table was a great red herrig to play into the idea he was an afterthought in the HBK/HHH show and that was going to be blown off only for him to return and win. I think this is another early 00s match that is hurt by not having a stronger heel presence even though HHH played ring general well. Would have liked more hijinx. As an action-packed main event spotfest, this is tough to beat. ****1/4
|
|
|
Post by elliott on Sept 22, 2023 14:35:09 GMT -5
Pass!
|
|