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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/wrestling/8188665.htm

Mon, Mar. 15, 2004 

Benoit, Guerrero on top of the world

BY MATT BERKOWITZ

Miami Herald Writer

NEW YORK CITY - Chris Benoit won the World Championship by pinning
Triple-H in the main-event of WrestleMania XX Sunday, March 14 before
a soldout crowd at Madison Square Garden. Shawn Michaels also wrestled
in this classic three-way bout.

Following the match, the audience rose -- a standing ovation. Eddie
Guerrero rushed to the ring sporting his world title and congratulated
Benoit. Soon after, Benoit's family entered the ring to celebrate.

WWE champ Guerrero cheated to victory in beating Kurt Angle. He
loosened his boot and used the ropes en route to retaining his title
in the tremendous match. The crowd was very into the last few minutes
of the match, chanting for both wrestlers.

The sound was deafening when the Undertaker appeared led by manager
Paul Bearer and a group of dark-hooded jobbers holding torches. He
defeated Kane to extend his undefeated WrestleMania streak.

Randy Orton pinned Mick Foley to give Evolution members Ric Flair,
Batista and Orton a victory over the Rock n' Sock Connection. It was
Foley's first match in four years, and neither he nor the Rock had
ring rust. The Rock raised Foley's arm after the match, and the crowd
chanted Foley.

John Cena won the U.S. Title from Big Show. He used brass knuckles and
hit his finisher two times to defeat Big Show. The fans popped huge
for Cena before and after the match.

Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the
guest referee. The crowd boo'd both wrestlers and was not into the
match at all. Following the match, Austin stunned both wrestlers as
the crowd chanted ``Hey, hey, hey, goodbye!''

In a surprise, Trish Stratus interfered to help Christian defeat Chris
Jericho. She left the ring with Christian and kissed him at the top of
the ramp with Jericho watching.

Rob Van Dam pinned Rob Conway as he and Booker T retained their World
Tag Team Titles against La Resistance, the Dudley Boys and Mark
Jindrak and Garrison Cade.

Chavo Guerrero Jr. with Chavo Sr. won the Cruiserweight Title in the
Cruiserweight open. Ultimo Dragon and Shannon Moore entered first, and
Ultimo pinned Moore. Noble entered next and made Ultimo submit. He
then pinned Funaki and Nunzio. Kidman entered and pinned Nunzio. Next,
Mysterio entered and pinned Kidman and Tajiri. The final entrant was
Guerrero who won the title by pinning Mysterio.

Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi retained their SmackDown Tag Titles by
pinning a Basham Brother. Other teams involved in this Fatal Four-Way
match were the self-proclaimed ''World's Greatest Tag Team'' Shelton
Benjamin and Charlie Haas and the APA. Following the match, Hotty and
Rikishi danced.

Victoria retained the WWE title, and Molly had her head shaved in a
barber chair at the top of the ramp. Victoria did the honors.

Torrie Wilson and Sable defeated Stacy and Miss Jackie to win the
Playboy Evening Gown Match.

The 2004 WWE Hall of Fame inductees were honored with a presentation
by Gene Okerlund. The inductees are Bobby ''The Brain'' Heenan, Jesse
Ventura, ''Superstar'' Billy Graham, Junkyard Dog, Big John Studd,
Tito Santana, Don Muraco, Sgt. Slaughter, Greg ''The Hammer''
Valentine, Harley Race and Pete Rose.

Vince McMahon thanked the live crowd and all WWE fans for making
WrestleMania what it is today.

Jesse ''The Body'' Ventura interviewed Donald Trump, and Trump said he
would give him monetary support if he ran for president. Ventura
hinted at a 2008 run for the White House.

After the Guerrero match, it appeared that was the winner for match of
the night, but Benoit, Triple-H and Michaels brought their best. They
entertained the crowd like none-other. Triple-H and Michaels both
bled. The three-way truly stole the show.

This was not Benoit's first World Heavyweight Championship win. He
defeated Sid Vicious at the now-defunct WCW's January pay-per-view
Souled Out in January 2000. It was his last match before heading to
WWE.

WWE hyped the show with the line It All Begins... Again. Seeing
Guerrero and Benoit take home the top titles for each WWE brand is a
great way to start. Benoit and Guerrero along with Perry Saturn and
Dean Malenko entered the WWE together as the Radicals.

Edge's WWE return was promoted.

WrestleMania XX set a record at Madison Square Garden grossing $2.4
million and more than 20,000 fans.

WrestleMania 21 will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

• WWE's Backlash pay-per-view will air Sunday, April 18 on
pay-per-view.


--- Internet Rex 2.29