WrestleMania 22
WrestleMania 22 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment | | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown! | ||
Date | April 2, 2006 | ||
City | Rosemont, Illinois | ||
Venue | Allstate Arena | ||
Attendance | 17,155[1] | ||
Buy rate | 975,000[2] | ||
Tagline(s) | Big Time![1] | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
WrestleMania chronology | |||
|
WrestleMania 22 was the 22nd annual
There were two
Featured matches on the
WrestleMania 22 was the third WrestleMania to take place in the
Production
Background
Storylines
The main
The Road to WrestleMania tournament to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 22 was held between February 6 and February 20, 2006. The tournament brackets were:
Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
Big Show | Pin | |||||||||||||
Shelton Benjamin | ||||||||||||||
Big Show | DCO1 | |||||||||||||
Triple H | DCO | |||||||||||||
Ric Flair | ||||||||||||||
Triple H | Pin | |||||||||||||
Triple H | Pin | |||||||||||||
Big Show and Rob Van Dam | ||||||||||||||
Chris Masters | Pin | |||||||||||||
Kane | ||||||||||||||
Chris Masters | ||||||||||||||
Rob Van Dam | Pin | |||||||||||||
Carlito
| ||||||||||||||
Rob Van Dam | Pin |
Notes:
^ Due to their double count out in the second round, a triple threat match with Big Show, Rob Van Dam, and Triple H was booked for the final.
The predominant feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Orton, to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania.[8] At No Way Out, Orton cheated to defeat Mysterio and win his WrestleMania 22 world championship match.[10] Five days later, on the February 24 edition of SmackDown!, SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long announced that the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 22 would be a Triple Threat match involving Mysterio, Orton, and champion Angle.[11]
Another primary feud from Raw was between
One of the featured matches on the
One of the main matches on the undercard was a singles match between Mickie James and Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship. James debuted in WWE on the October 10, 2005, episode of Raw coming to the aid of then Women's Champion Stratus from an attack from Victoria. She wrestled under the gimmick of Stratus' biggest fan. The two competed in tag team action together frequently where James was becoming extremely obsessed with Stratus. James became the number one contender for the Women's Championship on the December 12 episode of Raw by defeating Victoria in a match to determine who would face Stratus at New Year's Revolution. She was unable to win the title at New Year's Revolution. The storyline between James and Stratus developed into a lesbian angle after James initiated an intimate kiss with Stratus under the mistletoe and complimented on the size of her breasts. At the Royal Rumble James confessed to Stratus that she loved her. It finally became too much for Stratus as she then told James that they needed time apart. The two teamed together at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII to defeat the team of Victoria and Candice Michelle. After the match, James honored Stratus' wish to have time apart, but later attempted to kiss her, and attacked Stratus after she refused.
The secondary Divas feud entering the event was between Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. Torrie and Candice became villains when they were traded to the Raw roster on August 22, 2005, and later aligned with Victoria to form the stable known as Vince's Devils. On the February 27, 2006, edition of Raw, Candice failed to defeat Trish Stratus in a match for Stratus' WWE Women's Championship, and slapped Torrie in a backstage segment after the match; showing signs of tension between the two.[19] On the following week's edition of Raw, the evil Candice unveiled her Playboy cover and then attempted to force Torrie to admit that her cover was hotter than both of Torrie's Playboy covers. When Torrie refused, Candice and Victoria both attacked her in the ring, resulting in a face turn from Torrie.[20] It was later announced that Torrie and Candice would face each other in a Playboy Pillow Fight at WrestleMania 22.
Event
Role: | Name: |
---|---|
English commentators | Jim Ross (Raw) |
Jerry Lawler (Raw) | |
Michael Cole (SmackDown!) | |
Tazz (SmackDown!)
| |
Joey Styles (Foley/Edge match) | |
Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
Hugo Savinovich | |
Interviewers
|
Jonathan Coachman |
Todd Grisham | |
Josh Mathews | |
Ring announcer | Tony Chimel (SmackDown!) |
Lilian Garcia (Raw) | |
Howard Finkel (WWE Hall of Fame) | |
Referees | Chris Kay (SmackDown!) |
Jim Korderas (SmackDown!)
| |
Nick Patrick (SmackDown!) | |
Charles Robinson (SmackDown!) | |
Mike Chioda (Raw) | |
Jack Doan (Raw) | |
Mickie Henson (Raw) | |
Chad Patton (Raw) |
Before the event went live on pay-per-view, an 18-man
The opening match was for the
The second match was the
The third match was between
The fourth match was a
Next,
The sixth match was a
Next, The Undertaker faced Mark Henry in a casket match. Undertaker took the advantage and executed a Last Ride on Henry. While Henry was out of the ring, Undertaker executed a suicide dive over the top rope. Undertaker then performed a Tombstone Piledriver on Henry and pushed him into the casket to win the match and improve his WrestleMania record to 14–0.[30][21][31]
The eighth match was a No Holds Barred match between Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon. Michaels put McMahon on a table and put a trashcan over McMahon's head. Michaels then climbed on the top of a ladder and executed a
Next, Kurt Angle defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton in a triple threat match. During Mysterio's entrance,
The tenth match was a Playboy pillow fight between Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. Wilson pulled Candice's dress and Candice later pulled Wilson's dress. The match ended with Wilson pinning Candice with a roll-up for the win.[21][35]
In the
Reception
WrestleMania 22 was largely praised by various wrestling publications and websites. Writing for Canadian Online Explorer's Slam! Sports vertical, Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk stated that "With more wrestling, fewer interviews, and more pageantry than the last several editions, this year's 'Mania had a "Big Time" feel to it". He rated the overall event 8 out of 10 stars, which was a higher rating than the previous year's event. The main event between Triple H and John Cena for the WWE Championship was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars, the Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars, the No Holds Barred match between Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon received a perfect 10 out of 10 stars, the Casket match between Mark Henry and The Undertaker was rated 7 out of 10 stars, the Hardcore match between Edge and Mick Foley was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars and the Money in the Bank ladder match was rated 7 out of 10 stars.[7] Robert Leighty Jr of 411mania gave the event an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.0 commented on how "This is a pretty solid show as both title matches deliver in one aspect or another. Shawn tries to steal the show again, but Edge and Foley take that honor in a crazy-ass brawl. This was the last Mania held in an arena and it's a fun atmosphere because of the jacked-up crowd. Throw in another solid Money in the Bank Match, and a memorable Women's Title match, and you have a fun show all around!"[38][39]
Over the years, WrestleMania 22 became regarded as one of the better WrestleManias in its history. In their 2018 ranking of every WrestleMania from worst to best,
Aftermath
The next night on Raw, Triple H said to John Cena that he lost at WrestleMania 22 because he underestimated the champ. Edge then came out and said to Triple H that he deserved another WWE Championship match because he defeated Mick Foley in a Hardcore match. Over the next few weeks, all three men faced each other in Handicap matches, which all three men won over the three-week period by pinning and making each other submit, respectively.[44][45][46] It was then announced that the main event at Backlash would be a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship between Cena, Edge and Triple H.[47] At Backlash, Cena won the match and retained the WWE Championship via pinfall on Triple H with a jackknife roll-up,[48] but after the match, Triple H attacked Cena, Edge and the referee with a sledgehammer.
After WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels continued to feud with Vince McMahon. At Backlash, Michaels teamed up with "God" to face Vince and Shane McMahon. At Backlash, Michaels suffered a loss when the Spirit Squad interfered on behalf of The McMahons. Triple H became involved in the feud as well, initially on Vince and Shane's side, but on May 22, 2006, he attacked the Spirit Squad after being ordered to the ring by McMahon to "finish off" Michaels. On the June 12, 2006, edition of Raw, Vince announced that Triple H would face the Spirit Squad in a 5 on 1 Handicap Gauntlet match.[49] Vince called Mitch out last, as throughout the match he had called out the other four members one-by-one, instead Mitch was thrown out from the curtain by Michaels.[49] Michaels ran down the ramp and started attacking the Spirit Squad with Triple H, marking the return of D-Generation X (D-X). At Vengeance, D-X faced the Spirit Squad in a 5 on 2 Handicap match, which D-X won after both Michaels and Triple H pinned Kenny and Mikey, respectively.[50]
Mickie James continued to feud with Trish Stratus. At Backlash, Stratus won the match by disqualification, legitimately dislocating her shoulder in the process. Due to regulations by the WWE, a title cannot change hands via disqualification. As a result, James was still champion. Whilst injured, Stratus still appeared on-screen and during the storyline, Beth Phoenix made her debut as Stratus' ally, claiming that James had wronged Phoenix in the past. She returned to the ring on the June 26 episode of Raw, where she cleanly lost a Women's Championship match against James, thus ending the feud.
Rey Mysterio went on to feud with John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) over the World Heavyweight Championship. On the May 5 edition of SmackDown!, after Mysterio expressed his feelings about being World Heavyweight Champion, JBL came out and declared himself the number one contender.[51][52] Mysterio reacted by saying that he would fight anyone at any time. In turn, JBL announced that Mysterio would face off against Mark Henry later that night.[51][52] Henry won the match via pinfall.[51][52] The next week on SmackDown!, JBL announced that Mysterio would take on The Great Khali. Khali won the match via pinfall.[53][54] At Judgment Day, Mysterio defeated JBL by pinfall after performing a Frog Splash. After the pay-per view, the feud ended between the two when JBL's rematch against Mysterio turned into his last match if he failed to win the World Championship.[55]
The next night on Raw, saw the return of Jamal, who last appeared on WWE programming in 2003 and going by the name of Umaga, as he attacked Ric Flair. The two would go on to wrestle at Backlash. Umaga's run would saw him winning the Intercontinental Championship and lasted until June 2009; he would later pass away in December at the age of 36 after a heart attack.
The Undertaker's feud with Mark Henry would come to an end after the two-faced off on SmackDown!, only to be interrupted by the debuting The Great Khali who attacked The Undertaker.
Rob Van Dam would announce that he would cash in his Money in the Bank against John Cena at ECW One Night Stand. Van Dam would go on to win the match capturing his first WWE Championship.
Results
No. | Results | Stipulations | Times Singles match for the WWE Championship 22:02 | | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- Simon Dean.
References
- ^ a b "WWE WrestleMania 22 - "Big Time" « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ "WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)". Wrestlenomics. March 25, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Tickets sell out for WWE's WrestleMania 22". World Wrestling Entertainment. August 15, 2008. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "WrestleMania 22 is highest grossing one-day event ever at Allstate Arena". World Wrestling Entertainment. April 2, 2006. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony; Clapp, John (April 3, 2013). "WrestleMania 29 press conference brings WWE to Radio City Music Hall". WWE. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
... WWE's flagship event lights up MetLife Stadium ... WrestleMania
- ^ Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition (p. 160)
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Rey Mysterio wins the Royal Rumble match". WWE. January 29, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon December 22, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon November 6, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ "Back in business". WWE. February 24, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "Joining the Club". WWE. 2006-02-27. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon December 22, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "Shane McMahon def. Shawn Michaels (Street Fight)". WWE. March 18, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon October 9, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "World's Strongest Splash". WWE. March 3, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ "The Deadman responds". WWE. March 10, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon March 10, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "WrestleMania 22". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "World Tag Team Champions Big Show & Kane def. Chris Masters & Carlito". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "RVD wins the "Money in the Bank" Ladder Match". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "JBL def. Benoit (new United States Champion)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "JBL's first United States Championship reign". WWE. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Edge def. Mick Foley (Hardcore Match)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "The Boogeyman def. Booker T & Sharmell (2-on-1 Match)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- ^ "Mickie James def. Trish Stratus (new Women's Champion)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Mickie James' first Women's Championship reign". WWE. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Undertaker def. Mark Henry (Casket Match)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- ^ "Undertaker def. Mark Henry (14-0)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Shawn Michaels def. Mr. McMahon (No Holds Barred Match)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- ^ "Rey Mysterio def. Kurt Angle and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match (new World Heavyweight Champion)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- ^ "Rey Mysterio's first World Heavyweight Championship". WWE. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Torrie Wilson def. Candice (Playboy Pillow Fight)". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^ a b "WWE Champion John Cena def. Triple H". WWE. April 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
- 411Mania. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
- 411Mania. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ Pacitti, Adam (April 7, 2018). "Every WrestleMania Ranked from WORST To BEST". YouTube. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "TJR Retro: WWE WrestleMania 22 Review – TJR Wrestling". March 25, 2015.
- ^ ""I could smell the SMOKE" Edge discusses receiving second degree burns for a shocking WrestleMania Moment » FirstSportz". September 2022.
- ^ "How Mick Foley was speared through flaming table in brutal Wrestlemania 22 match". March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Raw results - April 3, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ "Raw results - April 10, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ "Raw results - April 17, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ "Raw results - April 10, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
- ^ "WWE Champion John Cena def. Triple H and Edge (Triple Threat Match)". WWE. 2006-04-30. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b "RAW results- June 12, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ^ Hoffman, Brett (2006-06-25). "DX breaks down the Spirit Squad". WWE. Archived from the original on 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ a b c Dee, Louie (2006-05-05). "A Man of his word". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ a b c "May 5, 2006 SmackDown! Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ Dee, Louie (2006-05-12). "Tragic Homecoming". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ^ "May 12, 2006 SmackDown! Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ^ Williams III, Ed (May 21, 2006). "Rey Mysterio's dream ride somehow continues". WWE. Retrieved November 23, 2007.