The first half of the Wrestlemania 18 card is pretty average (at best). There was William Regal in a championship match (yikes), guys like DDP & Goldust trying to recapture old glories, and a few confrontations--Angle/Kane, American BA Undertaker/Flair, Edge/Booker T--that are fine (though little more).
But then, the good stuff kicks into high gear...
-Stone Cold vs. Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash) is actually a great match, albeit a rather short one due to Austin's physical limitations at that time. But for what is there, it is extremely entertaining and Mania-worthy.
-NWO Hollywood Hogan vs. The Rock is one of the top matches in WWE history. Again, a bit on the short side due to Hogan's age, assuredly, but the energy is almost unmatched even by Mania standards. Only Hulk/Andre & Hulk/Warrior eclipse it. This should have been the finale of the PPV, even without a strap on the line. It alone raises this card a full star (if not two).
-Despite a bit of a come-down from Rock/Hogan, the HHH/Jericho finale is pretty good. I've never been a huge Triple-H guy and I can't quite understand Y2J's appeal, but for those who enjoy both those guys it is a solid match.
From stem to stern, I'll give this uneven card a 7/10 ranking. But in reality, that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. All anyone will remember WM18 for is the Rock/Hogan match for the ages.
But then, the good stuff kicks into high gear...
-Stone Cold vs. Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash) is actually a great match, albeit a rather short one due to Austin's physical limitations at that time. But for what is there, it is extremely entertaining and Mania-worthy.
-NWO Hollywood Hogan vs. The Rock is one of the top matches in WWE history. Again, a bit on the short side due to Hogan's age, assuredly, but the energy is almost unmatched even by Mania standards. Only Hulk/Andre & Hulk/Warrior eclipse it. This should have been the finale of the PPV, even without a strap on the line. It alone raises this card a full star (if not two).
-Despite a bit of a come-down from Rock/Hogan, the HHH/Jericho finale is pretty good. I've never been a huge Triple-H guy and I can't quite understand Y2J's appeal, but for those who enjoy both those guys it is a solid match.
From stem to stern, I'll give this uneven card a 7/10 ranking. But in reality, that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. All anyone will remember WM18 for is the Rock/Hogan match for the ages.